SHIF: How To Register For New Health Insurance Scheme Ahead Of October 1 Deadline

• The Ministry of Health began the registration of all Kenyans into the Social Health Insurance (SHIF) scheme in July 2024
• Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Deborah Barasa urged all Kenyans to register for the new health cover before September 30, ahead of the rollout on October 1, 2024
• The Social Health Authority (SHA), which takes over the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) management, said no one will be able to register after the September deadline
• SHA shared the registration steps, both online and USSD code, for all Kenyans to become SHIF members and beneficiaries

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

All Kenyans should register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before October 1, 2024.

The government set September 30 as the deadline for registration into the new health insurance scheme.

When did SHIF registration begin?

National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) acting CEO Elijah Wachira directed all employers and individuals to register, saying no one will be able to register after the September deadline.

President William Ruto's administration began to register Kenyans for SHIF membership in July 2024.

However, the exercise was stopped by a High Court ruling that declared the scheme unconstitutional.

Later, the Court of Appeal granted stay orders, allowing SHA to continue with the registration of SHIF membership.

Who should register for SHIF?

SHIF registration is mandatory for every person who is a resident of Kenya.

The Social Health Authority said SHIF registration is significant in the government agenda to realise Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.

SHA opened the registration of all school-going children as dependants of their parents into the scheme in September 2024.

"Parents are encouraged to register and to add their children as dependents. Edu Afya: All registered students will be able to access health benefits under SHA's enhanced benefits," said SHA.

What is covered under SHIF?

The benefits under the Social Health Authority include Preventive, Promotive, Curative, Rehabilitative and Palliative health services.

SHA noted that these benefits are provided at level 4, 5, and 6 health providers and facilities under the fund​​.

Services covered under the programme are emergency services, critical care services beyond those included in the essential healthcare benefits package, and treatment and management of chronic illnesses​.

The government invited healthcare providers (HCPs) and healthcare facilities (HCFs) to submit contractual applications to offer these services under SHIF.

Which details are required when registering for SHIF?

The register for SHIF, one must have a national ID, alien ID for foreign residents or refugee ID for refugees.

For children, a birth certificate​​ is required as a basic document for registration.

Other requirements include personal details such as marital status, employment status, address, and contact details etc.

How to register for SHIF

According to SHA, registration of SHIF membership can be done either by:

• Self-registration by dialling USSD code *147# on the mobile phone and following the prompts.
• Self-registration using the SHA portal
• Assisted registration by the Community Health Promoter (CHP)

USSD registration

To register using USSD registration,

1. Dial *147# on your mobile device then proceed to accept the SHA terms and conditions.
2. Enter your Kenyan ID card number and first name for verification. Then proceed by confirming your details.
3. Enter all your details accurately and await a confirmation message to confirm your registration once done.

Online registration

1. On your web browser, open the SHA website
2. From the SHA website, click on register and start the registration process.
3. Take a few minutes to go through the policies, instructions for self-onboarding and terms and conditions before continuing to the next step
4. After reading the terms and conditions, enter your details on the subsequent pages then proceed to finish your self-registration.
5. Review the details and finish the application

Assisted registration

To get assisted registration into SHA, applicants are required to:

1. Visit their nearest Huduma Centre/agent with the required documents
2. A SHA agent will capture all necessary personal information, including civil status and details of dependents where necessary.
3. Preview the details of the application that you have provided. If the information entered is correct, the application will be submitted, biometrics captured, and the application completed.

How many Kenyans have registered for SHIF?

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr Deborah Barasa urged all Kenyans to register for the new health programme to avoid the last-minute rush.

Data from the Ministry of Health indicated that more than 1.5 million Kenyans have registered for SHI.

PS Medical Services Harry Kimtai revealed that about 75,000 Kenyans register every day for SHIF membership.

"We have already registered over 1.5 million Kenyans. On average, more than 75,000 register daily. With over 9.2 million NHIF members ready to transition to SHA, we expect this number to rise even higher,” said Kimtai.

New SHIF rates

CS Barasa said the Linda Mama programme for pregnant women will be improved and integrated under SHIF.

Dr Barasa noted that under SHIF, patients with sickle cell anaemia will receive a cover of up to KSh 6,800, while those with diabetes would get KSh 4,300.

Kidney failure management will cost KSh 10,650 for each session of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration treatments and KSh 85,200 per month for peritoneal dialysis.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.